Daycare Assistants are important because they allow the lead teachers to focus on their primary duties. They help set up the activities for children, supervise and help them during feeding time, and assist in changing and putting diapers to infants and toddlers.
Daycare assistants are also involved in tracking the children’s attendance records and progress.
Nature of Work
Daycare assistants assist the lead teachers with the day to day activities in the daycare center. They observe and attend to the children, making sure that they are healthy and safe while learning. It is important that they enjoy working with children and possess an almost bottomless source of energy to keep up with the children in their daily activities. Daycare assistants teach various lessons and lead activities designed to encourage the children to develop mentally, socially, physically and emotionally. They help in charting the children’s daily tasks for presentation to parents so they know what their child does while in the center. They record what the child learns, how the child behaves and even the amount of food eaten during lunch. Daycare assistants also help in cleaning the center to ensure that children are in a safe place where they can learn and play without getting hurt. They sweep the floor, disinfect toys, clean tables, wash sleeping mats and help in organizing the rooms where the children stay. Daycare assistants also help in preparing the children’s lunches and snacks, serving them and helping feed the kids during lunch and snack time. There will be children who are not yet potty trained so daycare assistants are there to help change their diapers and train those who are in potty training stage.
Qualifications
Daycare assistants are required to have a high school diploma as a minimum although each state’s requirements may vary. They should also be certified in first aid and CPR, and must pass child abuse clearances as required by state or federal law. Daycare assistants who wish to become teachers or supervisors in the future need to have an associate degree in early childhood education, as a minimum requirement. They must have excellent oral communication skills as this is essential when dealing with children of all ages. They should also have excellent problem solving skills and enjoy working not only with children but will other daycare staff as well.